Theological, positional, and doctrinal truths

  Theological, positional, and doctrinal truths

We all need the proper direction in our lives here upon the earth! 
Ephesians gives a great deal of information to help our journey!

Life For Today Study Bible Notes

Note 1 at Ephesians 4:1: The book of Ephesians can roughly be divided into two sections. In Ephesians 1-3, Paul presented theological, positional, and doctrinal truths. In Ephesians 4-6, the practical, experimental, and outworking of Christ’s life through the believer is the focus.

At Paul’s conversion, he asked two questions: “Who art thou, Lord?” (Acts 9:5) and “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” (Acts 9:6). 

The first question was doctrinal, and the second question was practical. It’s not enough to merely learn about God. That knowledge has to be translated into practical actions in our everyday lives. It won’t work to try to just live for God, either. We need to come to know Him intimately before we can accurately represent Him to a lost world. The theological and practical have to be merged. 

That’s what Paul did in this letter to the Ephesians.

Beginning in Ephesians 4, the conduct of the children of God is spoken about in at least five areas: 

1) the believers’ conduct in relation to fellow believers -
  (Ephesians 4:1-16),

2)  their conduct in relation to the unbelievers around them (Ephesians 4:17 and 25),

3) their relationship and conduct toward the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30 
and 5:18),

4) their conduct in relation to their homes and families (Ephesians 5:22-33 
and 6:1-4),

5) their conduct in relation to the devil (Ephesians 6:10-18).

Note 2 at Ephesians 4:1: Paul described the glorious things that are ours in Christ in the first three chapters of this letter. At the end of Ephesians 3, he prayed for a revelation of these truths to come to the Ephesians that would cause them to have all the fullness of God manifested in them (see note 14 
at Ephesians 3:19). Therefore, because of all the goodness of God, Paul called 
the Ephesians to a life totally committed to Him.

This is the same reasoning that he used with the Romans when he said, 
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present 
your bodies a living sacrifice” (Romans 12:1). 
Many people serve the Lord through the negative motivation of fear, but Paul used the positive motivation of love to get people committed to God. It’s better to serve the Lord out of fear than not to serve the Lord at all, but “fear hath torment” (1 John 4:18). Those who do not move beyond fear into love as their motivation for serving the Lord will be tormented with the fear that they may not be doing enough.

Those who walk in love serve the Lord out of thankfulness for what God has already done. Those who serve out of fear are trying to get God’s blessing or avert God’s judgment. The motivation of love rests in what’s already been done. The motivation of fear is predicated on the assumption that the verdict has yet to be decided. Love rests. Fear frets.

Note 3 at Ephesians 4:1: The word “worthy” is defined as “1. Having worth, merit, or value; useful or valuable. 2. Honorable; admirable. 3. Having sufficient worth; deserving” (American Heritage Dictionary). We often apply the third meaning to this word “worthy,” but no one, saved or lost, can truly be deserving of what Jesus has done for us or what He has called us to do. This must be understood to be talking about honoring the Lord through our actions.

The phrase “walk worthy” is used three times in the New Testament (this verse, Colossians 1:10, and 1 Thessalonians 2:12).

Andrew Wommack's Living Commentary.